portable amp in the 300-400 USD range

[davy374]

Hello, all. This is my first post, but I have been reading many of the portable amp threads for the past week or so. I am currently using a 2005 Total Bithead and recently bought a pair of UE super.fi 5 pro's. When I plugged them into my amp, I noticed a loud hiss and have since figured out that these headphones are too sensitive for my amp.

I considered getting a 2006 TBH, as I have heard that the low gain switch helps this out a lot. After thinking about it, I believe it is time for me to step up a level to the 300-400 dollar portable amp range. I feel like I must mention that I have Meniere's syndrome, which results in asymmetric hearing loss in my left ear. As a result, soundstage is much less important to me because my ability to hear direction is greatly handicapped. So, transparency and noise level are more important to me than sound stage imaging, and crossfeed is probably a necessary feature (I don't want to completely miss an instrument because my left ear can't hear it that day). After looking around at various posts here and elsewhere, I am currently considering four amps, the Headroom micro with desktop module, the RSA hornet or sr-71, and the Xin SM3. I am currently leaning toward the SM3 because it has the crossfeed I want and the customizability seems at least intriguing to me at the moment, if not particularly meaningful (I do not know anything about which op-amps sound good, and have only had one course on circuits which my school lovingly terms "shocks for jocks"). The sr-71 seems like perhaps better quality, but much larger and more expensive. I have not read as much about the micro.

So, to sum it all up, I am looking for a portable amp in the 300-400 dollar range with resolution and noise my main sound concerns. I am using UE super.fi 5's, and will probably get a pair of senn HD580's or other similarly priced headphone in the foreseeable future. I listen to "rock" and some hip-hop, mainly through an ipod with apple lossless. If I have forgotten anything that might help, please let me know, and I apologize that this is so incredibly long.

 

[cheechoz]

Check out the Headamp AE-1, it is a great sounding portable, and the batteries will last for a very long time! Here's the link:
http://www.headamp.com/portable_amps/index.htm

Also, I love the SR-71! i am using it to run my K701's, and it sounds fantastic!

 

[Romanee]

I'd strongly recommend Ray Samuels Audio's Hornet. The Headroom Micro is a fine amp, but the largest in its class. The Hornet is tiny, beautifully crafted, and to my tastes much more "musical" than the AE-1. While it doesn't have the huge open air and delicacy of the SR-71, it is fast, clear and dynamic, is nicely extended at both ends, and after about 300hrs or so of burn in it has admirable separation and air around instruments, and good imaging. It has an external lo-hi-mid gain switch on the back, internal charging for 9V rechargeable battery, but no crossfeed.

I personally don't feel that crossfeed is useful in more than a small percentage of recordings -- mostly older ones that provide extreme left-and-right information and desperately need crossfeed for a more natural and less disturbing musical experience. Most recordings benefit little or not at all from crossfeed -- though you're perfectly welcome to have it available if you wish. The Hornet (as well as the SR-71, Headroom Micro, and Larocco PRII) are superior the SMv3. I haven't yet heard the v6 whatever is the current SM.

I find the AE-1's top extension to be exaggerated and sometimes artificial-sounding, and often feel its entire presentation seems somewhat synthetic, and sometimes adds a too-discrete separation between instruments that's illogical or unnatural (-- one live performance recording in particular comes to mind where I was present at the performance and the AE-1's presentation of it was clean and crisp, but very wrong and lacking in many ways). On some music, such as guitars, it truly sparkles and is very exciting, but it sometimes makes certain instruments sound unnatural. It also seems to have a mid-bass hump which affects the midrange, and does not seem to have the low frequency extension of the Hornet, or the rich midrange. There are lots headfiers who love the AE-1 -- I'm just not one of them.

The Larocco PR II is another fine amp (seems to have a very "neutral" presentation and fun bass-Q control), but it's also at the large end of portables. A lot of people use the Micro & PRII as portables, but for my tastes they're close to being "transportables" in size, and I prefer truly pocketable amps for portability -- as long they provide great sound, which the Hornet does. The Micro is marvelous (both amp & DAC) but eats 9V batteries at a frightening rate.

The Portaphile V2^2 Maxed is a wonderful small amp in the under-300 range and presents a big warm dynamic sound and internally switchable gain & Class-A bias, but the Hornet is more extended, a bit quicker and richer textured, custom-cased, and has built-in charging.

The Hornet is great value and a regular pocket dynamo that will easily drive pretty much anything short of a K1000. It's true that it's battery power won't last as long as the Lithium cell in the AE-1, but it is very listenable for extended periods with great enjoyment and (for me) no fatigue.

I've said enough for a brief recommendation -- more would be a review, which I hope to get to soon.

 

[RockinOut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romanee The Hornet (as well as the SR-71, Headroom Micro, and Larocco PRII) are superior the SMv3. I haven't yet heard the v6 whatever is the current SM.

I think these are all good choices.

As far as what is superior, that depends on each person's preferences.

Fortunately, there's many, many Head-Fi posts on each amp's sound characteristic and features.

Personally, I like changing opamps. For me, it's a must. Personal tastes, preferences, and rigs do change. At least they do for me.

If you go with Xin's, make sure you thoroughly browse www.fixup.net/talk first. There's not much hand-holding personal service, but there are many, many dedicated fans who have posted much helpful information.

I also really like Four Feature Switches of SM3. Some people like it, others don't.

As far as your asymetrical hearing, from what I've read here at Head-Fi some of these amps have a bit of Left/Right balance issues with the volume potentiometers, especially at the lower settings with high efficiency earphones. I use Shure E5c's, and I experience this with my SM3 V3 when used at lower volumes (rarely for me). I just set my iTunes software volume a bit lower then put the pot in a more middle position. When I listen at higher volumes, it's not a problem. I've read about this issue on the Micro Amp also. If ever upgrade to another amp, I want a stepped potentiometer for this reason. Crossfeed helps this to my ears and rig. Again, this is not that big of issue for me. Some people experience it, others don't.

As far as hiss with my E5c (very efficient IEM), with SM3 V3 at very low volumes there is a tiny, tiny bit of hiss. Most of the time I don't notice it, and it's fine. Opamps make a difference here too. Some will hiss more than others in the SM3. Each person's sensitivity to hiss is different. There are many, many UM2 and E5c owners who own and love Xin's SM3.

For SM3, ONsemi OBCA SA5534 opamp has exceptional clarity and power as this is one of your stated preference. You just order it from Xin and it plugs right in. I got the free sample chips directly from onsemi.com and Xin had sent me the limited time only free OBCA sockets. You can buy standalone OBCA sockets from Xin now too.

I used it for months and I loved it so much. Many other posters here and at fixup.net like it too. But lately, I fatigue easily with extended listening. I now use OBCA NE5534. Much more mellow, laid back, but with the big bass I love. Like I said, everyone has different tastes, and these tastes can change with time.

You really can't go wrong. There's an overwhelming amount of information, opinions, descriptions, and written perceptions on each of these amps here.

Checkout Wakerider's posts. He had Hornet. Sold it and ordered an SM3 V6. (He had and sold an older SM3).

Myself, I've been wanting a Micro Amp for a long time to go with my Micro DAC. They look so nice together, and I'm sure it would sound so rich and dimensional and oh so warm. Maybe (or maybe not) one day you'll want to get a Micro DAC also, as it goes well with all these amps on your decision list.

For your preferences Hornet is a good choice too. Lots to choose from

. . .


Choices, choices

. . . .Have fun

 

[RockinOut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by davy374 I listen to "rock" and some hip-hop, mainly through an ipod with apple lossless.

I don't know if your a basshead

. I am. That's what I like. With my dance/trance music I absolutely love my Xin Bass Boost. It goes reall well with strong bassed E5c.

Not being biased. . . .Just giving you more info for your choice making.

Cheers

(Gotta switch off Bass Boost now. Don't use it all the time, but when I do it's fun as h*ll

.

 

[YngwieJMalmsteen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by davy374 I noticed a loud hiss and have since figured out that these headphones are too sensitive for my amp.

Changing amps probably won't help this. The SF5's tend to hiss out of everything, their impedance is just too low, IMO. You pretty much have to use the attenuator that comes with them all the time, the good news is that they still sound pretty good with the attenuator.

As far as an amp, I would suggest the micro stack to replace your bithead. I had just got a bithead when the micro stack prototypes were released, so I compared them head-to-head and needless to say the TBH went back. If you think you can live without I crossfeed (I can't and I don't even have meneire's) then Ray Samuels' are my favorites; I'm pretty much in agreeance with Romanee except on crossfeed.